I need information on bone marrow biopsy. I am scheduled to have a biopsy on June 14, and my main concern is how much pain is involved during the procedure and afterwards too. I am to receive a local anesthetic and the biopsy taken from my pelvic bone. I will be lying on my stomach and fully conscious, with the procedure being performed in the hematologist's office. This is being done because my WBC is low and in continuing to drop (2.2),even after I stopped the meds (sulfasalazine) back in December, 2005.
I am planning on a trip 2 days later, June 16, and will be sitting for a 5 hour period. For all of you that have had this done, please inform me.
I have absolutely no idea Jojoe; But I wanted to wish you luck.
Hope to see you around AI when you get back from your trip. Hope all goes well.
I have a friend whose husband has multiple myeloma. According to her, if he gets the nurse (as opposed to the doctor), it's not bad at all. The nurses tend to be quick and good. If he gets the doctor, it hurts like heck and wipes him out for the rest of the day.Hi jojoe, I'm posting for the first time, although I have been reading for about 3 months. I think I have something to offer on your question.
I have had 2 bone marrow biopsies, both done in my hemotologists office. However, he did mine in my sternum, I think because I have very severe OA in my spine, and scoliosis, and had decompression/fusion surgery of L4,L5,S1 last year. The biopsies in the pelvic bone are done in the very back part.
But as for pain, I found that, if you go into it as relaxed as possible, they are not nearly as painful as you have probably always heard they are. There are a couple of stings when the doctor gives you the locals, then a deep pressure as he/she punctures the bone to withdraw the marrow for testing. I can't say it doesn't hurt at all, because there is some pain involved, but it doesn't last long and if you just try to relax and put your mind somewhere else, it's over quickly and there is not much pain afterwards.
I don't really know about the pelvic bone, but I would think you have more padding in that area than the chest, and I had very little pain 1-2 days after the test, so I would think you should be alright to travel. Also, it is done higher up, so you shouldn't actually be sitting on the area where the test was taken. But ask your doctor when you go in about travelling that long. I'm sure it will be fine, but just to ease your mind...
Best of luck on you test. I'll be thinking of you. Please let us know when you get your results!
Gentle Hugs,Nini
Hi JOEJOE
Our daughter had a bone marrow biopsy on the pelvic bone this past Feb due to low plateletes/wbc/rbc.She had in done in Oncology as out patient care.It was taken from her front hip area and caused no problems or complications. She was tender for 2 days but there was only a pin prick site that didn't even require a dressing and there was no swelling. She was put on twilite sleep for it as is customary here in Childrens situations but my girlfriend has had many bone marrow biopsies with locals(pagetts disease) and also asks for the twilite sleep mixture- not a local but not right out either. She did this not because she heard it was painful but because she has a needle phobia. Travel safe and we will say a prayer on the 14th that you are pain free.
PS FOR EVERYONE
IF POSSIBLE PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO GRAB A COFFEE ON THE 7TH AT TIM HORTONS TO HELP SEND A KID TO CAMP. THKS